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P.E.I. Beaches Open Doors for People With Disabilities
12 Aug
Summary
- Accessible equipment like floating wheelchairs is now available at Stanhope Beach.
- An Access Beach Day event highlighted resources for those with physical disabilities.
- This initiative aims to ensure everyone can enjoy Island life and beaches.
Two years after a hip injury, Fenix Doherty-Kirby can now enjoy P.E.I.'s beaches independently thanks to new accessible equipment. An event held last Sunday at Stanhope Beach, part of P.E.I. National Park, highlighted resources like floating wheelchairs and mobility mats, available through a collaboration between ParaSport and Recreation P.E.I., the Spinal Cord Injury Association of P.E.I., and Parks Canada.
This initiative, named Access Beach Day, aims to make the beach experience accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability. Program co-ordinator Craig MacDougall stated that providing these options is crucial for Islanders to fully experience life and choose activities based on preference, not limitations. Beaches are a vital part of Island culture, and ensuring everyone can participate is a key goal.
While Parks Canada offers this equipment, it must be booked two days in advance and is available at Stanhope, Cavendish, and Brackley beaches. MacDougall expressed hope that this pilot program will inspire other provincial parks and public beaches to adopt similar accessibility measures. Doherty-Kirby shared how the availability of such resources allows them to reclaim cherished childhood memories at the beach.
